"Ulf, whats be Asfelkir Hranleurt like?"
'He's a huge guy, like you ! Friendly and very devout.'
For Jessa
You FEEL the Jungle before you see it and it hit's you like a hammer. You stop dead in your tracks, gasp for air and fight hard not to pass out. You sway and have to grip Kellen's shoulder for support.
You've never felt the presence of so much raw natural energy - you've been in or near dense forests before, but have felt nothing like the power growing beyond the stockade. Who knows what strength exists out there ? What would be possible if a practitioner of Duidic magic could tap into that power ?
It's almost as scarey as it is exciting !
After a couple of minutes you manage to catch your breath and 'acclimatise' to the feeling.
For Kellen
You turn to speak to Jessa and discover her standing a pace behind you, swaying slighty, and looking stunned. She grasps your shoulder to keep her balance but seems unable to speak.
"So much for gaining assistance here." Erion muttered under his breath. "It looks as though we may need to travel with one of the caravans." He continued, turning and addressing this to his strange companion.
"Perhaps we should find out what Jessa and the others are up to - they may have had better luck." Erion said, suggesting the most logical course of action as he was prone to do.
"Once we get to Couldron, perhaps we can find out what happened here." Decisions made, Erion began to stride purposefully away, before stopping to make sure his cheese-loving friend has following. "Come. We shall find the others, and perhaps procure some cheese for you."
|
Zoo follows Erion away from the warehouse wondering what the elf is saying but getting back to the groups sounds like a good idea.
"Heh, I guess we are done here then" says Zoo as they start walking.
"Heh...Why do we need to stop and get some cheese...heh...we got more important things to do, hopefully the other were successful in arranging a way for us to travel....heh....I hate cheese anyway...heh"shaking his head at the elf and glancing behind them checking to see if anyone is following them or taking interest in them!
Spot check (1d20+4=12)
Initially, taking her sudden silence as a sign that I'm about to get another insult for my dry remark, I grow concerned at her dazed posture.
I scan around for a tree stump, chair, crate, etc. Grasping her hand and arm, hopefully I can easy her to a sitting position - so she can recover her balance, I think.
Since I am uncertain as to what's going on, I glance around to see if there's anything amiss around us.
"Jessa, are you alright?"
'He's a huge guy, like you ! Friendly and very devout.'
"Likes me...," Stilgar scratches his chin, "Him probably good-looking."
Jessa smiles at Kellen, "Aye... I'm fine... more than fine... Can y' not feel it? This place..." She smiles her lopsided grin. "I think I'm gonna like it here." She stands up more steadily.
"Now," she says decisively, "Hadn't we better be gettin' back to the rest of them? Anyone tell ya, y' look very sweet when y'r concerned?" She looks seriously at Kellen, and then laughs, "Ah y'r face! It's such a picture!"
Zoo follows Erion away from the warehouse wondering what the elf is saying but getting back to the groups sounds like a good idea.
"Heh, I guess we are done here then" says Zoo as they start walking.
"Heh...Why do we need to stop and get some cheese...heh...we got more important things to do, hopefully the other were successful in arranging a way for us to travel....heh....I hate cheese anyway...heh"shaking his head at the elf and glancing behind them checking to see if anyone is following them or taking interest in them!
Spot check (1d20+4=12)
Rest assured Zoomackulas, no-one is following you.
For Kellen:
Your brief examination of Jessa shows no sign of illness except maybe a touch of heatstoke.
Towards dusk you meet each other on the edge of Sasserine's market as the traders are wearily starting to pack up. You have enough time to pick up the few items you've been after all day bit not much more.
Oil will be 15cp a pint.
Holy water is evident but it's dubious as to whether it's real or not - at 28gp it's cheaper than the shrine but do you want to risk it ?
Rations are available at book cost - although the contents seems quite exotic, being locally produced food.
As far as 'polearms are concerned' one of each of the following is available: Longspear (8gp), Longspear with torch collar (11gp), Glaive (11gp), Glaive with torch collar (14gp), Halberd (14gp) and Ranseur (14gp).
The torch collar fitting allows a twised ring of rope and pitch to be secured to the weapon which will burn like a torch for 6 hours. 10 of these items are available at 5cp each.
If there's anything else you want let me know.
Beyond this I'l assume you'll have something to drink/eat at the workers rest and find a 'safe' area to sleep in.
Kellen, you finally overhear what the Keolandish troops are 'escorting': loads of rough cut diamonds and other gems. The hills around Cauldron are one of the Flaness' biggest sources.
Jessa smiles at Kellen, "Aye... I'm fine... more than fine... Can y' not feel it? This place..." She smiles her lopsided grin. "I think I'm gonna like it here." She stands up more steadily.
Somewhat puzzled by her question and change of mood, Kellen offers his hand to help her up, saying, "Not sure...but I'm glad to see your feeling alright."
"Now," she says decisively, "Hadn't we better be gettin' back to the rest of them? Anyone tell ya, y' look very sweet when y'r concerned?" She looks seriously at Kellen, and then laughs, "Ah y'r face! It's such a picture!"
Slightly embarassed and with a wry grin, he responds, "Yes, well, ummm...you're right that we should meet back with the others and let them know of the caravan arrangements. Let's pickup those supplies I mentioned and meet them at this tavern - perhaps something cool to drink might help."
Kellen glances over again to make sure she is ok, if somewhat more giddy than usual - and once she is ready, will proceed ahead. A slight head-shake in wonder follows.
Oil will be 15cp a pint.
Holy water is evident but it's dubious as to whether it's real or not - at 28gp it's cheaper than the shrine but do you want to risk it ?
Rations are available at book cost - although the contents seems quite exotic, being locally produced food.
Based on that cost, I'll go ahead and pick up (5) more oil-flasks for now. Since the Holy Water is questionable, I'll pass - especially at that price. Beyond maybe some fruit (dried perhaps), I think that will be about it.
Back at the Worker's Rest, Nik settle in to wait for the others. "So, Stilgar. Watcha drinkin'? Want a beer?"
Stilgar almost asked for a beer, when he pauses as if remembering something and answers, "Just water. Thank you."
Upon meeting up with the group again, a smile appears on his face as his eyes lock on to Jessa. "I trust all is well? Have you secured passage for us? I unfortunately had no such luck."
"I'm feelin' grand, Erion," Jessa says with a grin, "And the old charmer here managed to get us on a trip to Cauldron, aye." Jessa looks askance at Stilgar, "Now why have y' not got some booze in that meaty paw o' yours? Ah no, don't tell me it's some sorta holy day to Gru'umsh, right?" she asks with a mock-serious face.
"Me not like Gruumsh," Stilgar declares testily. "Me going outside."
Stilgar steps out of the common room to stand at the door of the Worker's Rest. He stares blankly into the street, thinking.
"Old charmer?" Kellen mumbles - confused and bemused by Jessa's penchant for nicknames.
Noticing Stilgar's annoyance...Kellen makes his way outside shortly ,once things are settled, to find him.
"She's got quite the tongue, that one...but she means well. I don't think she quite expected find you so quiet, friend."
Pulling a small flask, Kellen takes a sip and offers it to Stilgar.
"Keoish wiskey...strong, but it won't do too much harm, I think. Let's raise a small cup...to new comrades and promising journeys."
Assuming he gets a chance in the Worker's Rest, he makes a similar toast with everyone else.
Nik watches Stilgar walk out then turns to Jessa. "That wasn't nice. He took a pledge to stop drinkin' at the temple. I didn't believe it, but he hasn't touched grog or beer since we got here. And I offered ta buy."
Erion raises an eyebrow at Niklaus. "Truly? He swore to not drink? What drove him to do that?" He asked, surprised that Stilgar was capable of such an act. It wasn't that he thought him stupid, be Erion was truly surprised by the development.
Clearly there was more to Stilgar than meets the eye. "Very interesting." He mused to himself, his mind lost in thought. "In that case Jessa, I'm sure he also took offence to the way you alluded to his religious leanings - no creature would ever swear the Grummush that he would not touch alcohol."
Whilst he didn't want her to feel bad, Jessa had a bad habit of upsetting others when she did think about what she was saying. She wasn't aware of it most of the time, so it fell to him to gently bring it to her attention.
"I'm sure you meant no offence by it, but perhaps an apology is in order?"
Erion raises an eyebrow at Niklaus. "Truly? He swore to not drink? What drove him to do that?" He asked, surprised that Stilgar was capable of such an act. It wasn't that he thought him stupid, be Erion was truly surprised by the development.
"Yes, truly. We tried to pull a chain out of Kord's grasp. It was in there tight. I couldn't budge it at all. When Stilgar couldn't do it, he seemed to think Kord wasn't happy with him. He needed to buckle down. When he made the pledge my chin almost swung inta my knees."
Clearly there was more to Stilgar than meets the eye. "Very interesting." He mused to himself, his mind lost in thought. "In that case Jessa, I'm sure he also took offence to the way you alluded to his religious leanings - no creature would ever swear the Grummush that he would not touch alcohol."Whilst he didn't want her to feel bad, Jessa had a bad habit of upsetting others when she did think about what she was saying. She wasn't aware of it most of the time, so it fell to him to gently bring it to her attention.
"I'm sure you meant no offence by it, but perhaps an apology is in order?"
NIklaus looked expectantly at Jessa.
Jessa's normally pale cheeks start to burn red with suppressed anger, What the Hells, y' can't even make a joke anymore?! Her earlier elation turns to an equally powerful sense of being put-upon, as her annoyance bursts forth.
She turns to Erion and says almost like someone much younger, "How was I supposed t' know!? Sure, the great lump sits there with a face like a wet Freeday; I was tryin' t' cheer him up! And youse two start on me- fer feck's sake!"
"Apologise! What've I gotta apologise for?! It was a feckin' joke! If a big lad like him can't take a little ribbin', then there's somethin' wrong there."
Her jaw juts out in that familiar confrontational manner and her eyes blaze. Her breathing is more like that of a wild animal, as her anger subsides.
The vehemence of Jessa's response startles Nik. He grabs wildly for the edge of the table, to keep from toppling backwards in his chair. "OK, Jessa." He scoops up his beer and heads for the door, leaving Erion to hold the field. As he passes the elf NIk mutters softly, "Good luck."
Erion sighs as Jessa's tirade escalates. "I know you didn't mean offence. You very rarely do. But can you not see that here is a fellow trying to rise above the stereotype and stigma of his racially violent nature?" Erion, familiar with these outbursts, knew that remaining calm was the best way to defuse her anger. Winter cold does not move, no matter how much you fight against it. Even Jessa's fire would not be able to resist him forever.
He hated this part of their relationship, but he persevered. One day, he hoped, she would learn that words could hurt - and that fear cuts deeper than swords.
"If he has truly given up drink, do you not feel that perhaps he is worthy of respect, especially given the nature of his birth and life until this point?"
Please Jessa. Please see reason.
Jessa looks Erion in the eye, "Respect? Me, respect him? When his kind've killed yours 'n' mine since forever? Ye've seen what orcs do, you and me both seen our share, there's a reason they call them "The Hateful Wars"; I'll give him respect when he earns it, and that ain't by skippin' on some booze once in a while." The fire of her early outburst has turned to ice, and she turns and stalks off to bed.
Outside, Nik walks over to Kellen and Stilgar, shaking his head the whole time. "Charmer, Stilgar." He pauses awkwardly. "Man, that Jessa, she's a fireball. Just about scalped Erion and me. I had to beat it outa there." He grins and drains his mug.
"Friends, me ok. Me just not like comparison with Grummsh. Me have two eyes... see." Then Stilgar breaks into a grin.
"What they gots there inside to eat by the way? Lets go look."
"Jessa, if you cannot respect him, that is your decision. Instead, would you be willing to accept my decision to give him the benefit of the doubt? Thus far he has given us no reason to distrust him. Do you think I have forgotten what his kind have done to us? Do you think I could forget? Do you think that my being alive for over a century has flawed my ability to think?" He asked, the line of savage questions being the closest Jessa would have ever seen Erion to being angry.
Switching tactics, he continued after taking a deep breath. "Please Jessa, as far as I know, he doesn't even worship Grummush. Who are you to pass judgement on him?"
He said these words as she stormed off to sleep, hoping she would mull them over and come to a positive result. He would hate to see their little group splinter over this.
"Friends, me ok. Me just not like comparison with Grummsh. Me have two eyes... see." Then Stilgar breaks into a grin.
"What they gots there inside to eat by the way? Lets go look."
Breaking into a hearty chuckle, Kellen grasps Stilgar's shoulder, "Fair enough, Stilgar. Perhaps we can get some mutton chops, if we are lucky."
Once everyone (or almost everyone, from the looks of it) has gathered back inside, Kellen raises his glass to his comrades, saying, "Everyone, lets raise a toast of good luck - for a safe journey for our group. Let no ill nor threat break our band in times ahead."
"Heironeous give us strength." This last part is said more to myself than announced to everyone.
For Erion:
When there's a quiet moment, Kellen will try to speak with Erion.
"Pardon me for asking, but is everything alright with Miss Jessa? I take it something must have happened to make her leave.
For Stilgar and Nik:
As the two of you stand outside the Workers' Rest in the cool night air your conversation fades as you both notice the people around you start to quieten down. Momentarily the quiet turns to silence and only the drone from inside the bar and the tread of heavy boots can be heard.
Looking around you see all the native workers bowed and the northern workers standing respectfully as a team of eight strong natives trudge along carrying what appears to be a large box on two sturdy poles threaded through large brass hoops attached to the side of the box. The wood of the contraption is highly poilshed and it's side contains a black-curtained window.
As it trudges level with the pair of you a soft voice, speaking in the language of the natives, whispers an instruction and the party comes to an abrupt halt.
Nobody moves. Then with an almost inaudible swish the curtain parts slightly and you feel yourselves being examined. The locals standing near to you shuffle quietly away.
Presently a long, swarthy finger with a 2 inch long nail emerges from the black gap between the two halves of the curtain and with and slowly beckons you to approach.
For DM Flamifur and Nik
Stilgar approaches the box and with a toothy grin, "Me Stilgar and this Nik. To whom me speak to?"
DM and Stilgar :
For Stilgar and Nik:
The Native bearers have a form of leather armour and are carring a variety of weapons but don't look like 'warriors'.
Stilgar ther seems to be a reply to your greeting but your not sure what it means as it's in a language you don't understand - you can't even be sure it was said to you.
As you get to about 6 feet away the rest of the hand appears out from the shadows within the box and gestures for you to stop.
Stilgar and Flamifur:
Spot and Listen (1d20+4=7, 1d20+4=5)
Nik nearly bumps into Stilgar from behind. He cranes his head to look around Stilgar's shoulder, but can't make out anything in the sedan chair. He whispers, "Whoever's in there must be important. Look at how everyone's acting."
For DM Flamifur and Nik
Spot and Listen Check Respectively (1d20+6=25, 1d20+6=21)
Still keeping his grin, Stilgar stops. His senses seem to tell him to be cautious, so he keeps himself ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble. Stilgar then waves his right hand, "Hi."
Updates to follow this evening - I took an unexpected trip to 'Flu Land' and combined with the boards being down due to heavy traffic have been unable to post since last thursday.
Apologies
Updates to follow this evening - I took an unexpected trip to 'Flu Land' and combined with the boards being down due to heavy traffic have been unable to post since last thursday.
Apologies
For Stilgar and Nik:
Regardless of your intentions you both say nothing and come to a halt standing next to each other. You become aware of a soft whispering voice coming from inside the Sedan Chair and to your astonishment you find yourselves spinning slowly on the spot as the finger of the hand twirls slowly around.
After being examined in this way for couple of minutes you are again facing the box as two objects are thrown to you.
The first, caught by Nik despite having no intention of doing so, is 18' long ebony box with a delicately written label on it. The second, snatched unwillingly from the air by Stilgar, is a velvet pouch containing some coin.
'Tell them it is a gift and pays some of the old debt - they can decide how much.' The voice is soft but clear and doesn't seem to come from the box, originating from right next to your ears. It has a strong accent but neither of you can place it. 'You have two weeks.'
With that the Chair Bearers take the strain, the box lifts gently from the ground and travels off into the market, quickly disappearing amongst the stalls. The people in the area around you return to their business giving you nervous smiles and one, seeming to be an off duty guard, tells you the magic that hold you in place will wear off in a few seconds - which is exactly what happens.
For Stilgar only
The hand that emerged from the box had vestigile scales similar to your own.
Your darkvision helped you to penetrate the shadows within the box and you glimpsed a cat like eye and elongated teeth.
The box seemed to have no opening apart from the window.
The accent the voice had was similar to one you've heard amongst Grey Dwarf and Mongrelfolk traders from the realms below.
Flamifur:
Jessa sulks in her room (or as she will later claim "meditatin'").
For DM Flamifur:
Erion, watching Jessa storm off to her room, hopes that some of what he has said to her sinks in, and that she can be a little more accepting of their companions. Firmly emptying his mind of the brief flaring of anger he had experienced during their 'discussion', Erion turned to leave the Rest - in order to apologize to Stilgar.
With practiced care, Erion ensures his hood conceals his elven features, and moves outside - his liquid grace still advertising his heritage to those who bothered to look.
Once out in the thick night air, Erion casts his gaze around for the others.